Electromagnetic switch for controlling the circuits of train lighting and similar installations



, 1,636,900 A. H DARKER ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH FOR CONTROLLING THECIRCUITS Filed Feb.4, 1922 SSheets-Sheetl 0F TRAIN LIGHTING AND SIMILARINSTALLATIONS July 26, 1927.

. A. H. DARKER ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH FOR CONTROLLING THE CIRCUITS 0FTRAIN LIGHTING AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS Filed Feb.4. 1922 July 26,1927.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 1,636,900 July 26, 1927. A. H. BARKER ELECTROMAGNETICSWITCH FOR CONTROLLING THE CIRCUITS OFIRAIN LIGHTING AND SIMILARINSTALLATIONS Filed Feb. 4, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 26,1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE;

ALFRED HENRY DARKER, OE UPPER NORWOOID, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO J.STONE & COMPANY, LIMITED, OF DEPTFOBD, ENGLAND, A CORPORATION OF GREATBRITAIN. I

ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH FOR CONTROLLING THE CIRCUITS F TRAIN LIGHTING ANDSIMILAR INSTALLATIONS.

Application filed February 1922, Serial No. 534.118. and in GreatLritain February 17, 19 21.

This invention comprises improvements in and connected withelectromagnetic switches for controlling the circuits of train lighting,and similar installations. The object of the invention is to provide asimple and efiicient switch which is particularly suitable for use ininstallations in which switches, all along the train, are under theinaster control of a guard at either end or at some intermediateposition for the-pur pose of enabling full-lights, half lights, and

obtained. It is generally necessary, moreover, to arrange for theseswitches to be operated individually, as for example by means of asliding bar at one end of each coach,

or by means of a key or push button, and it' is a further object of theinvention to pro vide a switch of this type in which no mechanicallocking devices are required and which, consequently, is simpler andmore *eflicient and reliable than the usual type of electromagneticswitch employed for the purpose.

The improvements are advantageously applicable to switches of the duplexsolenoid type and in such switches the coils of the two solenoids neednot be of the same character or number, but the arrangement of the coilsis capable of variation for suiting different practical requirementswhile still retaining the essential features of these improvements. In aknown type of duplex solenoid lightingswitch now in use for traininstallations, one of the solenoids is energized for making theconnections for full lights, the other solenoid is energized for Flightsout, and the two solenoids are simultaneously energized for making thecon- 4 nections for half lights, An advantage attaching to the presentimprovements is" that the switches made in accordance therewith canreadily be adapted for working under the same control as the existingswitches above referred to.. V

In order to. enable the invention to be readily understood, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a simplifieddiagram 'of'the circuits of the installations on two railway vehicles ina train, one :vehicle being fitted solenoid switch.

with a single solenoid switch and theother Figure at is a view of anencased duplex solenoid switch as seen when the cover is removed fromthe casing.

Figure 5 is a central vertical section of I vFigure 4. no-hghtsconditions of the circuits to be In any of the solenoids hereinafterdescribed, the'reference letter A indicates a demagnetizing or releasecoil, thereference letter B indicates a closing or pull-on coil, and thereference letter O indicates a holding-0n coil. The diagrams in Figure 1are simplified diagrams and may be assumedto show installations of twovehiclesin the same train. The diagram to the right hand of this figureillustrates the use of a single solenoid switch, while the diagram, tothe left hand side illustrates the use of a duplex a and b are twopositive conductors running along the whole length of the train, andthese conductors are connected up with a suitable battery by means of aswitch 0 hereinafter described. (1 is a negative conductor which mayormay not be in the same cable as the positive conductors a .6, theseconductors being connected between the carriages of the train by anysuitable coupling devices. e are the dynamos for charging the battery ina single batteryinstallation, or the batteries f f in a double batteryinstallation and for supply ing the consuming circuits 9 g and h g. Thecircuits 9 g are shown as being entirelycomposed of lamps and thecircuith is shown as being entirely composed of,ventilatingfan motors, but itwill be understood that any one of these circuits may be composed oflamps, or of fans, or of heaters, or of some of each of these. Forexample, it would be usual for the circuit '72. to com rise lamps inaddition to the fan motors ndicated therein. Referring to the diagram tothe right hand side of Figure 1, it will be seen that the solenoidswitch com rises the k which is adapted to be lifted against contacts lm in the lightin or consuming circuits g g. The solenoi isadvantageously ironclad as indicated at n, and its core 7' is providedwith an extension rod 0 for oper- "a'tin switch devices at the top ofthe solenoi' as hereinafter described. The positive p from the dynamo eis connected with the Epsitive of the battery f and also passes to 10-"v e terminal connection of the switch blade g on the top of thesolenoid, the blade q normally resting upon a contact block ,7 which isconnected by a conductor 8 with the main switch brush k. The latter isconnected by the conductor 15, which latter includes a flexible portionu, of the battery f. The main switch contact f l is connected byconductor 12 with theposithe side of the consuming circuit 9 and thecontactrm is connected by conductor w with the positive side of theconsuming circuit g, a hand switch a: being inserted in the conductor 20so that the lamps 9 may be turned off when desired.

The cable conductor a is connected by a wire 3/ with a terminalbracket-athe latter A being adapted to be engaged by a switch 1 blade 1when thisblade is raised by the rod 0 upon the sucking up of the core -jtakin place. 'I'heblade 1 is connected with the any suitable type, andin Figure 1 is shownas a'revoluble blade switch, the blade of which canbe turned into any. one of the three positions II, II-II,' or III'III.

' The switch 0 comprises three terminal contact plates 0, '0 and 0 theplate 0, being connected with the positivepole of a suit- ,ablebattery,the plate a being connected by conductor 4 withthe cable conductor a,and theplate 0 being connected with the cable conductor 6 by theconductor 5. The plate 0 has airs of contacts'for engaging the blade 0the switch inany one of the positio'ns'I, II or III, while the plate 0has one pair of contacts for engaging the blade when turned to theposition I and a single contact for the position II,"the platec havingone pair of contacts for. the position III and the other contact of theair for the position II. The switch is prefera ly of the type in whichthe bladeis turned to the selected position wand "is then depressedagainst the action of a spring into engagement with the pairs of withthe positive 7 contacts in the selected position, the blade beingreleased from those contacts immedi ately the pressure of the hand isremoved. In the arrangement shown, the depression of the blade in theposition II causes the conductor 4 to be electrified by the battery, thedepression of the blade in the position IIII causes both the conductors4 and 5 to be electrified by the battery and the depression' of theblade in the position III- 111 causes the conductor 5 only to beelectrified.

Assume that the magnetic switch is in the open condition seen in Figure1; in that conditionof the switch brush k, the switch g is closed on toits, contact 1- so that the two batteries f and f are both connectedwith the positive 12 of the dynamo, the battery f being soconnectedthrough the Wire t, wire 8, contact 1- and switch In thiscondition the batteries are charged when the dynamo runs at therequisite speed. The means for interchanging the connections of the batteries from time to time, in a double battery installation, are notshown in the drawing, for as already stated the diagram is a simplilieddiagram. If it be desired to have allthe lights g 9 turned 'on (andassuming the small switch w to be closed) the blade of the switch 0 isturned to the position III-III and is depressed for a second or two sothat the blade electrically connects the contact plates 0 and c 1ecurrent then flows from the battery through the switch 0 to theconductor 5 and so to the cable conductor b. From the conductor b thecurrent flows through all the branch conductors 2 along the train andenergizes the.

various coils B. When any coil B is energized, and speaking now withparticular reference to the coil B at the right hand side of Figure 1,the core j is sucked up, thereby closing the brush is on to its contactsI and m.

When the core rises, the extension thereof lifts the switch 7 from offthe contact 1'. Therefore only the battery f is now connected directlywith the positive p of the dynamo, the lamp resistance B being serted inthe circuit of the battery f and the lamps 9 being supplied through thewire t, switch brush lc, contact I and positivelead v. Alsothe lamps gare supplied through the conductor 2!, switch brush 1:, contact m andpositive wire to. Immediately the brush is touches the contact m,thecoil C is energized and maintains the brush k in the closed conditionwhen the coil B is tie-energized by the release of the master switchblade from the contacts of the plates c and c. The rising of the core jand its extension 0 also effects the closing of the blade 1 against thebracket 2 but'for the present this 1s without effect seeing that thewire 7 and cable conductor a have not beenelectrified. If it should bedesired to extinguish the lamps,

ina ream-e00 the blade of the master switch 0 is turned tothe position II and depressedso-that the platesc and 0 are electrically connectedandthe wire d and the cable conductorcq re- .ceive current from thebattery. This current passes from the conductor a through the branchwires 7 brackets switch blades 1 and coils A of the various solenoidswitches. The elfect' in every case is the same; as \j-vill beunderstood from the right hand side of -Figure-l, namely, the coil Awill demagnet- 1Z8 sufficiently to counterbalance theliolding-on effectof the coil C, so that the core 9' will drop and restore the conditionseen in the dia ram, which is a lights out condi tion; Ks alreadystated,ifthere are duplex solenoid-switches on some of the vehicles of thetrain, it is'possible to operate them so as to produce the condition ofhalfligl1tsby simultaneously electrifying the conductors a and I). Inthe installation seen to the right hand of Figure 1, the: condition ofhalflights obtained by opening the small with the contacts of the plates0, 0 0 this will cause current tobe supplied from the batterythroughtheswitchto the two wires t and 5 so that the two cableconductors a and b will both be electrified. The 'coil'Bis thereuponimmediately energizedin the-manner described, but the coil A is notenergize-d,

because its circuitis broken'untilthe blade 1 touches the-bracket 2. Thecoil-Bsucks up the-core j and closes the brush in on to the contacts Zand m as described above andtlie holdingson coil C is energized.Simultaneously, the core extension 0 raises tlieblade 1 into engagementwith the bracket 2 so'as to complete the circuit of the demagnetizingcoil A. The latter, however, now only has the eflectof wholly or partlyneutralizing the effect of either the coil B or the coil C, so thatthere is still one of these coils effective for holding up the core In'imediately afterwards, the coils A and B are dc-energized by the releaseof the blade of the master switch 0 and the coil C then'holds 'up thecore 7' until'suoh time as the cable conductor a is electrified forlights out as hereinbefore described. In actual practics, and in adouble batteryinstallation the function of the switch Q inop eningcontact with the block 7 at the same time that the lighting circuitcloses is to open the short circuit of the lamp resistance R and makethelatterelfctive between the dynamo and the lamps 'and that-i batterywhich is in: what isknown as-a floating condition, in thewellknownmanner. In a single battery-installation theswitch g would similarly outout or switch in the lamp resistance: i p

7 Referring now to the duplexsolenoidseen at the left hand side ofFigure 1, the left hand solenoid of the pair operates in exactly thesamemanner as thesingle solenoid described above with reference to theright hand side of Figured. In this construction, however, the branchwire y from the cable conductor ais not only connected with the bracketa but also by an extension 1 with the 'coil A of the second core 9'.Also the branch wire2 from the cable conductor 7) is not only connectedwith the coil B of the core j but also with a contact block 7 nor-'ma-lly-engagedby a switch blade 8 connected with the coil B of the core7'. The coil C of thecore 7' isconnected with a contact m adapted to beengaged by the brush 7a" of the core 9'', the brushes 7c and is beingconnected in series by the connection 9. The contact Z of the brush isis connected by a wire w with the positive side of the fan motor circuith, but, as stated above, these fan motors may bewholly orpartlysubstituted by lamps. The-contact Z of the brush is" isconnected bya'wire (Swith the positive side of the lamp circuit g. The connectionsof the batteries in the left hand installation in Figure 1 are" the sameas those of the right hand installation and therefore involve v the samesimplification and omissions as have been referred to. In theoperationofthis duplex solenoid if the blade of the master switch 0 be depressed inthe position III'III the cableconductor Z) is electrified in the mannerabove described and current flows through the branch 2 dire-ctlv to thecoil B ofthe core j andto thecoii B of the core j through the contact 7and blade 8. The cores and j are thereupon lifted and close the brushes7; and It" on to the contacts 'l m' and Z mso that both of the circuits9' and it are supplied with current. Also the coils G of the cores 7'and j are energized by the brushes in 7c",touching the contacts m m andthereafter servefor holding up the cores j. It will be noticed that theris lngof the core 1 and its extension 0 causes the swltch blade 8 toopen thecircuit of its coil B, but this only takes place after the Toextinguish all lights, or to out 01f the iv current from both of thecircuits g and/i,

the blade of the master switch 0 is depressed in the position I-I withthe'resultthat the wire l, cable conductor a, branch conductor yand thedemagnetizmg coils A of iil both solenoids j j are supplied with currentso that the effect of the coils C is neutralized and the cores 7' 7"drop to the open position;

For putting only the fans it into circuit, or for roducing half lightsif the circuit 1!. is a lighting circuit, the bladeiof the master switch0 is depressed in the sition IIw-II thereby electrifying the cab econductors a and b and energizing the coils A and B o! the two cores jand j. As regards the core 7', its coil A will not be immediatelyenergized owing to the presence of the switch 1 as already ex lainedwith reference to the single solenoi so that when this coil A- isenergized, the coil C is already holding up the core 7', therebyretaining the fan motors h in circuit. The core 7' in rising, however,opens the switch 8 and breaks the circuit of its coil B, whereu on thecoil A, which is energized as stat neutralizes the effect of the coil Cso that the core 7' drops leaving only the fans It in circuit. It willbe understood, therefore, that duplex and single solenoids may be placedunder the same master control without the presence of the latterinterfering with the proper functioning of the former.

If desired, and in known manner, the core 1' and the cores 7' and 7" maybe arranged in operative relation with mechanical means for operatingthem individually instead of by the master control. For example, if alever, sliding cam, or push button be arranged beneath any one or all ofthese cores, the atter may be raised by such mechanical means and assoon as the brush k or k touches upon the contact m or m, the coil C isenergized and holds up the core in question for closing the desired lampor fan circuit. Similar mechanical devices may be arranged for operatingupon the upper ends of the extensions 0 or o of the cores so that theselatter ma be depressed to open the said circuits. Sr, of course, thecore or a number of cores having been raised by hand may be released bythe exercise of the master control.

In'some cases, the coil B of any solenoid may be connected in serieswith its companion coil C When the lighting switch is or k closes, butin that case the corresponding coil A would have to be sufficientlystrong for neutralizing to such a degree as to release the core, as willbe readily understood. In any duplex solenoid, either or both of thecores may operate short circuiting switches for lamp resistance in themanner above described- In the simplified key diagram seen in F igure 2,the coils A, A of a duplex solenoid are connected in parallel, as alsoare the coils B, B, and the coils C, C. In this modification the coil Bis stronger than the coil B, and the coil A", instead of being ademagnetizing coil like the coil A, or like the position.

in those positions can be depressed into en-.

gagement with pairs of contacts 11, 12 and 13. The switch blade 10 isconnected with any suitable source of current. When the blade isdepressed, in the full line position,

into engagement with the contacts 11, the

coils B, B are energized and the coil B raises the brush is to theclosed position, thereby turnin on the lamps g and energizing the coilsand C. However, the coils B and C together are not sufficiently powerfulfor closing the switch is so that the lamps g are not turned on. Whenthe blade 10 is released from the contacts 11, the coil C retains theswitch is in the closed position. This operation of. the switch 10 giveswhat is known as the half lights condition. If when the switches k k areopen the switch blade 10 should be turned to and depressed in themid-position, it engages with the contacts 12, thereby effecting theenergization of the coils A, A, B, B. However, the contacts 12 are notof the same length, and that appertaining to the B circuit is of greaterlength than the other. Consequently, the coil B will be energized beforethe others and will efiect the closure of the switch brush is and theenergization of the hold-on coil C before the demagnetizing coil A comesinto action. When the coil A is energized, therefore,it only partlyneutralizes the effect of the coils B and C, so that the switch Itremains closed. The closing of the switch is also energizes the coil Cand the coils B and A being also energized, these three coils co-act toclose the switch in. When the switch blade 10 is released from thecontacts 12, the coils C, C will retain the brushes k k in theclosedposition. If the switch blade 10 be now turned to the thirdposition and depressed into engagement with the contacts 13, thedemagnetizing coil A is energized and neutralizes the coil C so that,the brush is falls to the open position and turns off the lamps g, atthe same time breaking the circuits of the coils C and C. The brush isnow drops and opens the circuit of the lamps g as the coil A by itselfis incapable of retainin the switch brush is in the closed owever, evenif the brush k should remain in the closed position, no harm will bedone as the circuit of the lamps g has already been opened by thedropping of the switch brush is which is in series with the brush k. Theblade 10 is then released Figure 3, provided'that the hold-on coil C andthe assisting coil A 9 together are powerful enough for closing theswitchb'rush k on toits contacts. Inthis modificationfthe coil .0receives assistance only when the circuit of coils A A is closedby theblade 10 engaging with the contacts '12 or 13 and not when the B circuitis closed by engaging the blade 10 with the contacts "The engaging ofthe blade 10 with the contacts 13 may, result in the brush k t beingheld up against its contacts, but as the circuit of'the lamps g hasalready been opened by the dropping of the brush Zr: immediately thecoil A neutralizes the coil C, the retention of the brush 7c in theclosed position makes no difference and the coil A will soon be(ls-energized by-therelease of the blade 10 as aforesaid. I

Figures t and 5 show a duplex solenoid mounted in a casing and adaptedfor operation by mechanical means, in addition to operating under theelectrical control above described. This duplex solenoid Lis practicallythe same as that described w1th reference to the left hand side ofFigure 1, excepting that the positions of the cores 9' and y" arechanged side for side in Figure 4 and the resistance short-circuiti'ngswitch 9 1S placed above the core j instead of above the core j as inFigure 1. From Figure 4, it will be seen that the tops of the cores 7' jare suitably shaped in accordance with known practice and that they riseagainst the separately supported rods 0 0 which actuate the switches Q,1 and 8 as hereinbefore described. At the lower ends of the cores j jthere are recessed or dumb-bell shaped pieces 14 adapted to be engagedby the arms 15 of a double-armed lever pivotally mounted at 16 in theenclosing casing 17. An arm 18 fixedly mounted on the pivot spindle 16of the lever 15 normally stands in'the path of pro]ections or pins 19 ofthe pull or push bar 20 commonly found at the end of a railway vehicle.By pulling or pushing the bar 20 in one direction or the other, thelever 15 will be rocked in one direction or the other so that one of itsarms will strike upwardly against one of the pieces 1 1 and raise thecore 7' or y" as the case may be. The raising of a. core closes theswitch is or 7: and brings into action the holding-on coil C. There-opening of a switch or is which has been closed is accomplished by areverse movement of the bar, as will be readily understood. As will beseen from Figure 5, the spindle 16 may beturnefd by the application oi-"a key to the projectingportion 21 off an extension thereof, or bythemanipulation-0t aflever arm 22 secured to'theend ot the sphidle161011 the outer side of the cover of the casing. '23

are stops 'for'the cores jor j to drop on "to and'Q'et, 24lare springsoperating on the bar 20'for always returning and maii itainingit in themid or' neutral position. 25 is a, ter minalboard for the makingo't thenecessary external and internal connections. 26 are carbon sparkingcontacts for the switch brushes J0 and [0 FromFi'gures 4and 5 it will beapparent that push button devices maybe arranged in the top andbottom ofthe casing 17 in vertical alignment with the cores j j,"sothat-bypushing up either or both of the lower buttons the core or coresjj is or arepressed up into the circuitclosing position, and by-pushin'g down either or both of the upper buttons the core; or cores is orare depressed into the open cir cuit position, the efforts of thehold-on coils being overcome in the act of such depression.

Instead of employing aspindle 16 extending from 'iront'to back of thecasing 17, a spindle maybe employed extending from side to side of thecasing and revoluble in bearings in such sides. Such a spindle may befitted with crank arms disposed at suitable angles and adapted tooperate appropriate cores in predetermined manner according to theamount of turning of such spindle.

-With switches of the nature hereinbctfore described, it the lights areleft burning inadvertently while, for example, the train is in a siding,the partial exhaustion of the batteries results in a weakening oftheholding-on coil or coils C, which may be calibrated so as to hold ononly when impressed with a certain battery voltage. In this case, theswitches would open automatically and put out the lights long before thecomplete exhaustion of the battery had taken place, this being anadvantageous result not obtainable with switches which are mechanicallylocked in the closed position. Moreover, the fact that the switches havebeen opened is important, because as soon as the train, afterre-starting, has attained a proper speed, the dynamo will immediatelybegin to eflectually charge the batteries which would not be the case ifthe exhausted batteries had been left connected up with the lamps.

I claim 1. Electro-magnetic switching means for controlling consumingcircuits of train lighting and similar installations, comprising duplexelectro-magnets opera-tively con nected with respectiveconsuming-circuit switches and reversible under line control, saidelectro-magnets including respective hold-on coils adapted tobeenergized u exercise of either one of two phases of ne control but to beeffective on one only of the switches under one of said phases of con-jtrol, substantially as set forth. 7 7

2. Electro-magnetic switchin means for controlling consuming circuits 0train lighting and similar installations, comprising duplexelectro-magnets operatively connected with respective consuming-circuitswitches and sub'ect to line control, the said electro-magnets eing eachprovided with a combination of closing, hold-on and demag netizing coilsas herembefore specified, and the arrangement being such thatthesimultaneous control of the closing and demagnetizing coils for bringingabout their energization results in the closing of only one of saidswitches, substantiall as set forth.

3. Electro-magnetic swltchingmeans for controlling consuming circuits oftrain lighting and similar installations, comprising duplexelectro-magnets operatively connected with respective consuming-circuitswitches and subject to line control, the said electro-magnets beingeach provided with a to close the other switch, substantially as set IforthQ 4. A duplex solenoid switch for controlling circuits of trainlighting and similar installations, said switch comprising leading andfollowing solenoid elements of which the leadin element comprisesclosing, hold-on an (lemagnetizing coils as hereinbefore specified, andthe following solenoid element comprises a combination of coils arrangedto operate in conjunction to raise the solenoid core but one only ofwhich is capable of "actin as a hold-oncoil to lfnailliltain the coreraised, substantially as set ort ALFRED HENRY DARKER.

